IF you’re on the roads and racing to be first past the post this weekend you may be paying dividends, not only in a monetary sense, if you are willing to gamble with your life.
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As Victorians celebrate an iconic and much-loved long weekend, Victoria Police will be working hard to make sure every motorist, truck driver, rider, cyclist and pedestrian travels safely.
A state-wide road policing operation, Operation Furlong, will see members out in force from Friday to Tuesday, focusing on drink and drug driving, speed, distraction, fatigue and seat belts.
The long weekend can be a dangerous time on the roads as families head out to enjoy the extra time together and punters head to races across the state.
Sadly history doesn’t lie, and with 19 fatalities over the past five Melbourne Cup long weekends, road users must be reminded about their responsibilities on the roads.
Last year we detected a total of 588 drink and drug driving offences.
Combine this with the fact we detected nearly 3000 people speeding, caught nearly 400 people using their mobile phones and more than 300 people were found not wearing their seat belts, the combination is almost too dangerous to comprehend.
I make no apologies in using whatever resources I can to reduce road trauma.
Booze and drug buses will be deployed in the field and our members will be testing as many motorists and riders as possible.
The simple message is if you are going to drink and drive, don’t.
We’re not party poopers, what a great time to enjoy the company of family and friends.
We just don’t want to be knocking on your door this weekend.
If everyone slows down, turns off their mobile phone, puts their seat belt on, takes regular breaks on long journeys and doesn’t drive after drinking or taking drugs we will save lives.” Operation Furlong starts at 12.01am on Friday and concludes at 11.59pm on Tuesday.
JOHN FITZPATRICK
Acting Superintendent, Road Policing Command
FOR people heading to the Horsham Cup on Friday, gates open at noon and racing starts at 2.30pm.
The Horsham Cup will be run at 5.40pm with the last race at 6.15pm.
There will be live music on the main lawn after the last race as well as hot wood-fired pizza and happy hour from 6pm to 8pm.
